Short answer
Choose Salla if you sell mainly inside Saudi Arabia and want local payments such as mada, Apple Pay and STC Pay ready to go with an Arabic-first dashboard. Choose Shopify if you plan to sell in several countries or need a large choice of themes and apps. Shopify Payments is not available in Saudi Arabia, so Saudi Shopify stores use third-party gateways.
For an online store in Saudi Arabia, the platform decision usually comes down to two names: Salla, built in the Kingdom for Saudi merchants, and Shopify, the global leader. Both can run a successful store. This guide compares cost, payments and flexibility so you can choose with confidence.
The quick answer
- Choose Salla if you sell mainly inside Saudi Arabia, want local payments and shipping ready to go, and prefer an Arabic-first dashboard.
- Choose Shopify if you plan to sell across several countries, need a large choice of themes and apps, or want maximum design flexibility.
Platform pricing compared
Salla plan prices, as reported by it.com.sa's 2026 guide to Salla plans:
| Salla plan | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | Free |
| Plus | SAR 99 | SAR 990 |
| Pro | SAR 299 | SAR 2,990 |
Shopify's published prices from its official pricing page, in US dollars:
| Shopify plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29/month | $39/month |
| Grow | $79/month | $105/month |
| Advanced | $299/month | $399/month |
Platform prices change, so always confirm on Salla's and Shopify's own websites before you decide. Remember that apps, themes and payment fees add to the monthly cost on both platforms.
Payments: the biggest difference
Saudi shoppers expect to pay with mada, the national debit network, along with Apple Pay and STC Pay, and many now expect buy-now-pay-later options such as Tabby and Tamara, according to PaymentProviders.io's 2026 guide to GCC payment gateways.
- Salla is built around these local payment methods, which makes setup simpler for Saudi-only stores.
- Shopify Payments is not available in Saudi Arabia, according to Shopify's list of supported countries. Saudi Shopify stores use third-party gateways instead, such as Tap Payments, HyperPay or Moyasar, which need to be set up and tested.
Design, apps and growth
- Shopify has a very large theme and app ecosystem, which helps with advanced features like subscriptions, bundles, wholesale pricing and international selling.
- Salla focuses on what Saudi merchants need most and keeps the dashboard simple, with Arabic as a first language.
- If you plan to sell across the GCC and beyond, Shopify's multi-market tools are a strong reason to choose it.
SEO and marketing
Both platforms let you edit page titles, descriptions and product URLs, and both connect to Google Analytics and social media ad pixels. What matters more than the platform is your product content: unique descriptions in Arabic and English, good photos and fast pages.
How to choose in five questions
- Will you sell only in Saudi Arabia, or across several countries?
- Which payment methods must your checkout support on day one?
- Do you need features like subscriptions, bundles or wholesale pricing?
- Who will manage the store day to day, and in which language?
- What is your total monthly budget once apps and payment fees are included?
How Razinio can help
We design and build Shopify stores for Saudi and Gulf brands, including payment gateways, shipping and bilingual setup, from SAR 4,870. If Salla is the better fit for your business, we will tell you on the call. Book a free 30-minute strategy call and we'll compare both for your products.
Frequently asked questions
Can I accept mada payments on Shopify?
Yes, through a third-party payment gateway that supports mada, such as Tap Payments, HyperPay or Moyasar. Shopify Payments itself is not available in Saudi Arabia.
Is Salla free?
Salla offers a free Basic plan, with paid plans for more features. Check Salla's website for current prices, as they change.
Can I move from Salla to Shopify later?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be exported and imported, though the design and apps need rebuilding. Plan redirects so you keep your search rankings.